Indian Journal of Horticulture
Year : 2004, Volume : 61, Issue : 3
First page : ( 209) Last page : ( 210)
Print ISSN : 0972-8538.

Crossability in pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Jayesh K.C.*, Kumar Ravindra

Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake P.O., Bangalore 560 089

*Corresponding author: Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore 560 065; E-mail: Jayeshmsc@indiatimes.com

Received:  August,  2003; Accepted:  July,  2004.

Abstract

Hybridization was done among seven pomegranate varieties namely Ganesh, Daru, Kabul Yellow, Nana, Ruby, Double flower and Amilidana and hybrids from August 2001 to February 2002 to evaluate the fruit set in different cross combinations and the effect of season on fruit set. Maximum fruit set was observed in crosses involving Ganesh, Ruby, Daru and very low in Kabul Yellow upon selfing and same trend was observed in crosses involving Kabul Yellow, possibly due to poor cross and self-compatibility with other genotypes. The highest numbers of single crosses were done in Ganesh × Ruby followed by Daru × Ganesh and Ruby × Ganesh. Cross involving (Ganesh × Nana) resulted in higher fruit set when compared toother F₁'s in the three-way crosses. Though maximum numbers of crosses were made in three way crosses but highest percentage fruit set was observed in selfing. In winter months, maximum number of fruits were produced in all crosses due to the low temperature and high humidity conditions thereby resulting in higher percentage of viable pollens.

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Key words

Crossability, pomegranate cultivars.

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